5 Reasons Why Living in a High Floor Walk-up Apartment Might not Be Half Bad

Tracy Kaler is a lifestyle writer in New York City. Her articles have appeared on BrickUnderground, Metro NY, Olive Oil Times, Business Insider, and a host of other blogs and websites. When she’s not blogging, you can find her wandering the streets of New York City or fluffing pillows in her Upper West Side apartment.

When searching for my own NYC nest, I toured some pretty sweet Manhattan fifth-floor walk-ups, which, at the time, seemed almost feasible. (I skipped the sixth-floor ads intentionally and later decided that four flights would be my limit.)

Granted, most apartment seekers, myself included, prefer an elevator building to dozens of stairs, and few might think twice before trading convenience for a spectacular layout or a more spacious kitchen. But if a daily climb isn’t a major turn-off, a walk-up apartment might not be such a bad idea, after all.

​​That being said, Manhattan boasts hundreds if not thousands of tenement structures sans elevators, so you’re in luck. Here are five awesome things that you can expect if you choose to live in a high-floor walk-up.

1. Cheaper prices

Opposite of an elevator building, in a walk-up, the typical rule is this: t​he higher you go, the less you pay. Walk-up apartments cost less as you climb, so fifth and sixth-floor apartments will usually demand the lowest prices of the lot.

You might also have a little more negotiating power if the flat has been on the market for some time. The owner or landlord might slash the already cheaper price a bit further.

2. Treetop view

Scaling dozens of steps could be worth it for a treetop view, not to mention a glimpse of the skyline depending on the location of your digs. If there’s no obstruction, you could catch a priceless peek at​ icons​ such as the Empire State Building or the Chrysler, without the hefty price tag that often accompanies in-demand city views.

3. Free Daily workout

Be prepared to hear the question, “Where did you get those calves?” You probably won’t need to hit the gym as often if you’re walking up and down 100 t​o 150-plus steps several times per day. Add groceries or luggage into the mix, and you’ll practically be set for cardio. The good news is that taking the stairs is said to improve heart health, lower your bad cholesterol levels and raise the good. For this, you can reward yourself with a trip to Shake Shack.

4. Safety

Inevitably, burglars are lazy and will hit the first or second-floor apartments long before they venture up five flights. Although I’d still lock my doors every night before turning in, you can rest easy because you’re probably less of a target if a criminal is looking to grab and go.

5. Less Noise

The higher your floor, the less street noise you’ll hear, especially from people chatting right outside your building. (In NYC, you’re stuck with jackhammers and construction sounds no matter your floor.) And if you reside on your building’s top level, you’ll miss any heavy stompers above you, which is one of the biggest bonuses to living high up in a walk-up apartment.

Fun Fact: You won’t find many non-elevator buildings higher than six stories in New York City. In fact, there are less than 100 walk-ups left with more than six floors, according to the Wall Street Journal. This is because New York’s Multiple Dwelling Law passed in 1929, and requires that all buildings higher than six stories or 60 feet have an elevator.

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